money

How the Vatican built a secret property empire using Mussolini’s millions

"Behind a disguised offshore company structure, the church's international portfolio has been built up over the years, using cash originally handed over by Mussolini in return for papal recognition of the Italian fascist regime in 1929. Since then the international value of Mussolini's nest-egg has mounted until it now exceeds £500m. In 2006, at the height of the recent property bubble, the Vatican spent £15m of those funds to buy 30 St James's Square. Other UK properties are at 168 New Bond Street and in the city of Coventry. It also owns blocks of flats in Paris and Switzerland." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow the Vatican built a secret property empire using Mussolini’s millions

Federal judge: Bitcoin, “a currency,” can be regulated under American law

"In the case of a Texas man accused of massive Bitcoin-based fraud, a federal judge has ruled that bitcoins are 'a currency or form of money,' and are therefore subject to relevant US laws. The case revolves around Bitcoin Savings and Trust (BTCST), a virtual Bitcoin-based hedge fund that many suspected of being a scam. BTCST shut down in August 2012, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last month formally charged founder Trendon Shavers with running a Ponzi scheme." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFederal judge: Bitcoin, “a currency,” can be regulated under American law

Lebanon’s Banks Have the Highest Cash Reserve Ratios in the World

"There are three features that distinguish the Lebanese financial system: 1. The banks have the highest cash reserve ratios in the world. 2. The central bank holds the second highest gold reserves on a per person basis. 3. Real financial privacy. Lebanon is also one of the few countries left in the world that still has real financial privacy, both in theory and in practice… just not for Americans, though, thanks to FATCA, which Lebanon has indicated it will comply with. Additionally, Lebanon ranks only behind Switzerland in terms of gold reserves per person according to this chart below from The Economist." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingLebanon’s Banks Have the Highest Cash Reserve Ratios in the World

Foreign embassies in London hard hit as HSBC closes their bank accounts

"HSBC bank has told dozens of foreign missions in London that it will close their bank accounts, an official said Sunday, news that has sent diplomats across the capital scrambling to find a new place to put their money. Bernard Silver, an former honorary consul who serves as president of the Consular Corps of London, said he was told by British officials that more than 40 different embassies, consulates, and high commissions were affected. The Papal Nunciature — the Vatican’s mission to London — was affected, as was the Papua New Guinea High Commission, and the honorary consul from Benin." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingForeign embassies in London hard hit as HSBC closes their bank accounts

The Secret’s Out: Now Is the Time for International Diversification

"For the United States and other debt-addicted countries, years of profligate spending have more or less sealed their economic fates. With the stage set, further encroachments of privacy are practically guaranteed. Faced with economic uncertainty, governments will search for new ways to plunder the productive members of society. These may include capital controls, more onerous regulations, or wealth confiscation, either explicitly or by way of the printing press. The developing NSA story along with the crisis in Cyprus prove that desperate governments will stop at nothing to prevent their house of cards from collapsing, no matter how futile." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Secret’s Out: Now Is the Time for International Diversification

How California Law Put a Hot Payments Innovator on Ice

"Three years ago Aaron Greenspan had a hot mobile payments startup on his hands that was poised to take a bite out of the entrenched card networks. Launched in April 2010, FaceCash signed up 25 Bay Area merchants and 500 consumers to use its novel technology, which combined mobile bar code scanning and photo identification. A Subway franchise in Palo Alto tested the service. Some suggested FaceCash could become the next blockbuster payments innovator after Jack Dorsey's Square. Then regulators put Greenspan out of business." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow California Law Put a Hot Payments Innovator on Ice

Marc Faber: The Fed Will Increase QE

"Marc Faber was characteristically pessimistic during his interview with Sprott Money late last month. 'I don’t think they will end QE. I rather think they will have to increase it, because as you print money or as you purchase assets, from a central banking point of view, it loses its impact over time. In order to keep the impact going, you have to essentially increase it. I believe that the dovish members of the Fed will print more money. Especially after the resignation of Mr. Bernanke early next year, when he will be replaced, there will be even more dovish members.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMarc Faber: The Fed Will Increase QE

A Central Banker with Austrian Instincts

"Raghu Rajan is a very good neoclassical economist who has made important contributions to banking, finance, the theory of the firm, corporate governance, economic development, and other fields. He is also taking over as head of India’s central bank. Rajan is no Austrian, but he has a quasi-Austrian take on the financial crisis, and far greater appreciation for free markets in general than any of the key US or European policymakers. As I tweeted this morning, Rajan is about 1,000,000 times better than either Summers or Yellen. I’d gladly trade him for any US central banker." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingA Central Banker with Austrian Instincts

How payday lenders pop back up even after states crack down

"The products reflect a basic fact: Many low-income borrowers are desperate enough to accept any terms. In a recent Pew Charitable Trusts survey, 37 percent of payday loan borrowers responded that they’d pay any price for a loan. In 2012, New Hampshire joined states like Georgia and Arizona that have banned triple-digit-rate payday loans but allow similarly structured triple-digit-rate auto-title loans. And as in Ohio, Texas lenders started defining themselves as credit repair organizations, which, under Texas law, can charge steep fees. Texas now has nearly 3,500 of such businesses, almost all of which are, effectively, high-cost lenders." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHow payday lenders pop back up even after states crack down

Is Bitcoin Too Big for Government to Ignore?

"Forty-eight states require businesses to register as money service transmitters, which Brito said can be an onerous and expensive process. Bitcoin startup BTC Global estimates that $10 million or more is required for a business to reach total legal compliance in all 50 states. The Wall Street Journal reported in June that Texas and New York are among the states taking a hard look at regulations for virtual currencies as well as money transmission rules.The Journal said state regulations can be expensive, citing Texas’ policy requiring companies seeking a license to provide a surety bond of as much as $2 million." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs Bitcoin Too Big for Government to Ignore?